QuestionCan an object have negative velocity with positive acceleration? Explain. Can velocity be positive with negative acceleration?
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
Assumptions1. Velocity is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.
. Acceleration is also a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.
3. A positive acceleration means the object is speeding up in the positive direction.
4. A negative acceleration (also known as deceleration) means the object is slowing down in the positive direction or speeding up in the negative direction.
5. A positive velocity means the object is moving in the positive direction.
6. A negative velocity means the object is moving in the negative direction.
STEP 2
First, let's consider the question Can the velocity of an object be negative when its acceleration is positive?
The answer is yes. Here's whyAn object can be moving in the negative direction (negative velocity) while slowing down. If it's slowing down, that means its speed is decreasing, but it's still moving in the negative direction. This decrease in speed is due to a positive acceleration (since acceleration is the rate of change of velocity).
STEP 3
Now, let's consider the second question Can the velocity be positive while its acceleration is negative?
The answer is also yes. Here's whyAn object can be moving in the positive direction (positive velocity) while slowing down. If it's slowing down, that means its speed is decreasing, but it's still moving in the positive direction. This decrease in speed is due to a negative acceleration (since acceleration is the rate of change of velocity).
In both cases, the direction of motion (indicated by the sign of the velocity) is opposite to the direction of acceleration. This is possible because the direction of acceleration determines the direction in which the object's speed is changing, not the direction of motion itself.
Was this helpful?
